San Juan Capistrano, Calif. – June 26, 2011 – Surfing America, the national governing body for Surfing in the United States, concluded its 2010/2011 season Saturday with the finals of the 2011 Quiksilver USA Championships. Eight Under 18 USA Champions were crowned, with two of them being awarded the prestigious California Governor’s Cup awards.

The 2011 Quiksilver USA Championships ran from June 18-19 in Huntington Beach, CA and June 21 – 25 at Lower Trestles in San Onofre State Beach, CA. A solid south swell built up to the finals as the most important and prestigious annual event in American surfing came to a dramatic close Saturday in firing surf at Lower Trestles.

“Surfing America shattered the ceiling of American surfing with this year’s event and broke through to an entirely new level,” said Mike Gerard, Surfing America’s executive director. “This is thanks to title sponsor, Quiksilver, a huge webcast audience delivered by Surfline, and an unprecedented, mind-blowing display of progressive surfing by the very best juniors in the USA. The event was truly historic in that it brought American surfing to a level never before seen. Clearly a new standard has been set-and this year’s Quiksilver USA Championships was, by far, the most amazing national championships ever run in the United States.”

From the youngest groms on up, performance levels were at an all time high. The youngest surfers proved that the future of American surfing is very bright. Young rippers like John Mel (Boys U12 Champ), Seth Moniz (Boys U14 Champ), Meah Collins (Girls U12 Champ), and Mahina Maeda (Girls U14 Champ), all put on stellar performances throughout the contest. 11-year old, John Mel, in particular, surfed well beyond his years and wowed the beach with a long series of consistent backhand hacks that led to a perfect ten and victory in the Boys Under 12 Final.

In the Boys Under 16 Final, mainlanders Parker Coffin and Cam Richards went up against Hawaiians Ian Gentil and Kain Daly. But it was the Santa Barbara goofyfooter, Coffin, who went away with the title in a buzzer beating display of shock and awe power surfing. “I’ve never been chaired up the beach before,” beamed Coffin. “I’ve never really won anything this big ever. It feels so good!”

The Girls Under 16 and Girls Under 18 Divisions both saw the same smiling face on the winner’s podium as Hawaiian Tatiana Weston-Webb claimed both Championship trophies-just as she did last year in the U14 and U16′s. This, despite a perfect ten scored by Girls Under 18 favorite, Lakey Peterson, earlier in the day. Weston-Webb acknowledged the competition when receiving her awards and Governor’s Cup trophy as she said, “It was a stacked heat and all the girls could’ve won. I guess got lucky and got the best waves.”

But it had to be more that just being lucky and getting the best waves for Weston-Webb. Great waves were in abundance as Lowers brought forth some of its very best conditions this event. This combined with amazing surfing and an on-site production of the highest caliber made this year’s pinnacle of United States amateur surfing truly world class.

The shot heard round the world had to be Kolohe Andino’s perfect ten in the final seconds of the final heat in the event. The San Clemente local took off on a bomb righthander and threw three aerials in what many are calling the most incredible display of progressive surfing ever witnessed at the Lowers venue. With that performance, Andino handily won the Under 18 Division and the prestigious Governor’s Cup. There was no question; all five judges’ scores were unanimous in their perfect ten assessment. And that’s how it ended-the perfect finish to the perfect event in perfect conditions.

“A perfect swell hit Trestles and set the stage for best under-18 surfers in the country,” said Mike Matey, VP Marketing for Quiksilver. “We couldn’t have asked for a better week of progressive surfing, and this will go down in the history books as one of the most exciting surf contests ever. Congratulations to all the winners, and a huge thanks to all the competitors, Surfing America and Surfline who made this something special. Quiksilver is very proud to have supported this event, and together we showed the world what the future of surfing looks like.”

About Surfing America, Inc.
Surfing America is the ISA-recognized National Governing Body for Surfing in the United States. The International Surfing Association (ISA) is recognized by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as the sport’s World Governing Authority.

Created by the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association (SIMA) to develop and administer the sport of surfing in the United States, Surfing America is an IRS recognized 501(c) 3 charitable organization and an industry-wide initiative. Key projects include: improving competition standards, hosting national championship events, and selecting and fielding the official United States Surf Team to compete internationally. With its primary emphasis on youth development, Surfing America is a critical element to successfully growing the sport, and business, of surfing on a global basis.

All donations made to Surfing America are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by the law. Donation checks should be made payable to: Surfing America, 33157 Camino Capistrano Suite B San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. End of year tax receipts are sent to every individual donor of more than $250. For donations under $250, a canceled check or credit card statement is sufficient evidence for IRS purposes. Surfing America will send a tax receipt to any donor who requests one. http://surfingamerica.org

About Quiksilver
Quiksilver is committed to providing tools for uncovering, expressing and expanding your personal style. Our aim is to foster the sense of individual expression and excitement – the stoke that is the essence of boardriding*. We’re also here to spread the word because the only thing better than finding stoke is sharing it.

*Boardriding is about timing and style. It’s youthful, active, casual, and free flowing. There is no wrong way to ride a board. The goal is simply to learn, progress, improve, and give it your own interpretation.